Dual Battery, National Luna and Ctek... Will this work or better ideas?

[RichJacot]

I've been researching quite a bit the last few months trying to find the best fit and learn what I can about incorporating solar into my setup. BTW, this will be my first solar project so be gentle. lol

What I'm trying to accomplish:

I'd like to be able to have an extended stay base camp (week+) or overland travel (moving every couple days) and still maintain my batteries with an ARB fridge(50qt) and a couple small LED lights.

Currently I have a National Luna dual battery dual battery setup (PM-2 aux, PM-1 starting) with their monitor/controller.

http://www.nationalluna.com/Datashee...structions.pdf

What I was thinking might work for me:

I had been thinking about just getting a couple of 40-45W panels (portability) and a SunSaver 10 OR the SunSaver Duo UNTIL... I saw the CTEK D250S DUAL. That looks like it might better fit the bill...until I thought about it in more detail. I'm thinking that the way the National Luna Intelligent Solenoid works will circumvent how the Ctek is suppose to work. Thoughts?

Here is how I "think" the Ctek would be wired in, if it'll work at all:



*don't be to critical of my image. I tried to combine the NL and Ctek images. lol

I know the Ctek option will cost a bit more but it currently takes quite a while driving to get the Aux batter backup up to snuff. So if the Ctek will help with that, it'll be a bonus.

If the Ctek won't work with my setup, would you go with the SS-10 or the SSD-25 option?

I'm open to suggestions if you have other ideas of how I should do it...?

[inetdog]

Currently I have a National Luna dual battery dual battery setup (PM-2 aux, PM-1 starting) with their monitor/controller.

http://www.nationalluna.com/Datashee...structions.pdf

When you copy in a link, be sure that the actual link part is complete, rather than just the abridged (with ....) form of the link that you see in your browser address bar or on the page with the link. A working link for what I think is the controller you mean is http://www.nationalluna.com/Datashee...Controller.pdf and http://www.nationalluna.com/Datashee...structions.pdf

When the engine is running and the alternator is putting out charging current, the IS will totally defeat any additional solar charger / dual battery controller that you install. When the engine is stopped, the CTEK may very well be able to work as designed. The information on the design of the IS is not complete enough for me to guess more than that.
I think that the IS just selectively overrides the diode-based isolation that the original module provides.

[RichJacot]

Paul(at Equipt Expedition Outfitters) basically said the CTEK I'm looking at and the National Luna IS aren't compatible. He did say I could insert a switch inline for wire #4 and it would disable the IS altogether, even the controller wouldn't be powered. Sooooo... I've abandoned the CTEK DC-DC charger and ordered a Morningstar Sunsaver 10L and will go that route instead.

Thank you for all of the comments!